MLB Off-Topic

[zello144]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Ian Desmond man he was dumb for not taking that Nats extension but looking back it was great that he didn’t take it for us would have been horrible.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Just started watching Long Gone Summer for the first time (which ironically starts out discussing the 1994 lockout).

They talk about how McGwire hit 58 home runs the year before (1997), so I looked it up.

In a 4-year span (1996-1999) Mark McGwire hit 245 home runs, and in a slightly different 4-year span (1998-2001) Sosa hit 243.

[Speedy]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Some of these players admissions in the case of Tyler Skaggs death is quite disconcerting.

I wonder if MLB and/or the team will take action after these testimonies.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Some of these players admissions in the case of Tyler Skaggs death is quite disconcerting.

I wonder if MLB and/or the team will take action after these testimonies.

I believe I saw that Matt Harvey is facing a 60-game suspension if any team signs him.

[dubcity]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Just started watching Long Gone Summer for the first time (which ironically starts out discussing the 1994 lockout).



They talk about how McGwire hit 58 home runs the year before (1997), so I looked it up.



In a 4-year span (1996-1999) Mark McGwire hit 245 home runs.

Also, overshadowed in the HR chase was Griffey hitting 56 in back to back seasons. Doesn't seem like as much when you have guys hitting 70, but was still 5 short of the single season record at the time, and the most anyone in the AL had hit since 1961.

[l3ulvl]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I believe I saw that Matt Harvey is facing a 60-game suspension if any team signs him.

for being honest? talk about a reverse course

[TripleCrown9]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

for being honest? talk about a reverse course

I mean yeah, he was honest.

About giving his teammate some of the drugs that eventually contributed to his death.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I put it on MLB Network and they were having a segment about 'banning the shift. "

For the life of me I cannot comprehend the notion that a team's defensive alignment needs to be regulated or prevented altogether. Like, what?

Do I think it's overdone and annoying and often costs end up costing teams in specific circumstances? Sure. Absolutely. Ultimately? It's defensive positioning. Who is anyone to say "no, you can't do that" to a manager?

This constant need to overlegislate the game needs to stop.

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Full disclosure: I've wanted to reduce shift usage since the early 2000s (when the only players being shifted were Bonds, Giambi, and L. Gonzalez). I'm not of this new Manfred wave. Also full disclosure: I use shifts all of the time in coaching. Hey, players have certain tendencies.

I'm of the belief it should be regulated, but not to the extent they want it. I just believe there is an inherent nature to each position, otherwise the positions become moot. Same reason why there are legal formations in football, or three-in-the-key in basketball, offsides in hockey/soccer, etc.

My stance on it actually keeps the majority of shifts you still see in action. It just ensures a bit of optimization when need be and negates the ridiculous Joey Gallo shifts.

If they do the thing where they keep all infielders always on the dirt or two to either side of second base, then they overdid the regulating.

[reyes the roof]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I’d be against any form of regulating shifts. The analytics people think it’s worth it to keep trying to pull the ball despite being shifted on, banning the shift creates a huge advantage for the hitters. If an NFL team only passes to the right side of the field, I don’t think anyone would want a rule banning the defense from rolling coverage to the side of the field they know the ball is going to

[bryanm1982]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Do you want to beat the shift? Have the hitters work on hitting the ball to all fields. Even work on laying a bunt down. Do that a couple of times for a cheap hit will make the manager think twice on the shift.

[reyes the roof]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Do you want to beat the shift? Have the hitters work on hitting the ball to all fields. Even work on laying a bunt down. Do that a couple of times for a cheap hit will make the manager think twice on the shift.

That sounds good but teams would rather continue hitting in to the shift, knowing they’re sacrificing some singles in exchange for the added power from pulling the ball. If the offenses are ok hitting in to the shift I don’t see why the defense should be forced to change via rule changes

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Just implement a pitch clock.

If a team wants to shift after every pitch or batter, go ahead, but you have 20 or so seconds to do it AND your pitcher must throw the ball before that time.

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Do you want to beat the shift? Have the hitters work on hitting the ball to all fields. Even work on laying a bunt down. Do that a couple of times for a cheap hit will make the manager think twice on the shift.

I don't disagree.

I want to see stars to start doing this, specifically the bunt. Put shifts to shame.

Just implement a pitch clock.

If a team wants to shift after every pitch or batter, go ahead, but you have 20 or so seconds to do it AND your pitcher must throw the ball before that time.

One aspect of my shift is that the position is defined by your relative place to the other positions, so if a third baseman wants to go between the shortstop and second baseman then they become the shortstop.

Anyway, I think this declaration should be decided at the beginning of the at-bat, unless a genuine circumstance changes (new batter, new pitcher, new baserunner situation, batter switches handedness, etc.). Not "two strikes."

[dubcity]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Just implement a pitch clock.

If a team wants to shift after every pitch or batter, go ahead, but you have 20 or so seconds to do it AND your pitcher must throw the ball before that time.

I think if they ever did add a pitch clock to the majors it would be a half baked version that would barely be enforced, and even then it would be mostly warnings. We wouldn't actually see the clock, or something dumb like that.

I'm all for going all in on it, but I suspect it would end up being like the NBA whenever the league puts out a memo for officials to focus on X, Y, and Z, and it ends up being blended in and forgotten about.